Champions League Clash: Lewandowski Faces Former Team

Follow Robert Lewandowski's incredible resurgence with Barcelona, as he faces his former team Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Robert Lewandowski is back to his best, and his resurgence has been instrumental in Barcelona's impressive start under new manager Hansi Flick. As the Catalan giants prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, Lewandowski will return to one of his former hunting grounds, where he enjoyed immense success during his time with the German club.

The 36-year-old Polish striker has been in scintillating form this season, scoring an impressive 23 goals in just 21 games across all competitions. His prolific goal-scoring has propelled Barcelona to the top of the Spanish league and elevated them to third place in the European standings, making them a formidable force in both domestic and continental competitions.

Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are currently locked in a tight battle for supremacy in their Champions League group, with both teams boasting four victories from five games. The only difference between the two sides is Barcelona's slight edge in goal difference, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter when the two teams meet in Germany.

Robert Lewandowski's return to Dortmund will undoubtedly evoke memories of his successful stint with the club between 2010 and 2014. During his time at Dortmund, Lewandowski played a pivotal role in driving the team to the 2013 Champions League final, where they ultimately fell to Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium. Lewandowski's subsequent transfer to Bayern Munich in 2014 was followed by a Champions League triumph with the Bavarian giants in 2020.

After joining Barcelona in 2022, Lewandowski enjoyed a strong debut season, but his performance dipped somewhat last season. However, the arrival of new manager Hansi Flick has brought fresh momentum to both the team and the veteran striker. Until a recent minor slump, both Barcelona and Lewandowski had been thriving, with the Polish striker rediscovering his scoring form in spectacular fashion.

Robert Lewandowski achieved a remarkable milestone in Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Brest in November, scoring his 100th Champions League goal. This impressive feat places him third on the all-time list, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest goal-scorers in the history of the competition.

Lewandowski's incredible form has earned him top scorer status in both Spain and the Champions League. His impressive tally of seven goals in just five Champions League matches is two more than any other player, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. As Barcelona prepares to face Borussia Dortmund, Lewandowski's presence in the starting lineup will undoubtedly be a major concern for the opposition.

Despite Lewandowski's phenomenal goal-scoring record, his presence in Barcelona's side does have one notable drawback.

One concern surrounding Robert Lewandowski's role in Barcelona's team is his ability to maintain the high-pressing strategy employed by manager Hansi Flick. Given Lewandowski's age, he has not been able to consistently press opponents as intensely as Flick would like, which has led to a noticeable drop in pressing intensity. This, in turn, has exposed Barcelona's high defensive line, making them more vulnerable to counter-attacks.

Flick acknowledged the issue after Barcelona's surprising 2-1 loss to Las Palmas in LaLiga earlier this month. “It's clear that we made mistakes, but I insist, it's not the fault of the back four, it starts up front,” the coach emphasized. This admission highlights the importance of a cohesive team effort in maintaining a solid defensive line. Barcelona's recent struggles were also evident in their match against Celta Vigo, where they squandered a two-goal lead, allowing Real Madrid to close the gap at the top of the table.

As Barcelona prepares to face Borussia Dortmund, their recent issues will undoubtedly be scrutinized by their opponents. Flick has also acknowledged that his team has struggled on the road, which could be a significant factor in the upcoming match at the Westfalenstadion.

Barcelona's recent struggles continued on Saturday as they drew 2-2 with Real Betis, despite Robert Lewandowski scoring in the match. The Catalan giants twice relinquished their lead, and at times, they were overwhelmed by the hosts. Manager Hansi Flick acknowledged that his team needs to improve, particularly in away matches. “We have the quality to win every match, but we also have to show that,” Flick said.

Flick also emphasized the need for his team to be more robust, especially on the road. “(In) the away matches, we have to be much stronger than we played here,” he stressed. Given Flick's drive to strengthen his team, questions arise about how long Lewandowski can maintain his exceptional form as the minutes accumulate. The 36-year-old striker's workload will be closely monitored, especially considering his age.

In a recent match against Mallorca, Flick rested Lewandowski, and Barcelona still managed to secure a convincing 5-1 victory. This result suggests that the team might not be as heavily reliant on Lewandowski as they are on 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal. However, Lewandowski's importance to the team cannot be overstated, and Flick will need to carefully manage his minutes to ensure the striker remains effective throughout the season.

Since Hansi Flick's arrival at Barcelona, he has consistently shown his support for Robert Lewandowski. Despite a slight dip in the Polish striker's work-rate, Flick remains confident in Lewandowski's abilities. As the coach noted earlier in the season, “Robert is an absolute professional player, working hard on his fitness, this body he has, it's not this age.” This endorsement highlights Flick's appreciation for Lewandowski's dedication to maintaining his physical conditioning.

Under Flick's guidance, Lewandowski has rediscovered his form, putting in impressive performances that have belied his age. This resurgence will undoubtedly concern Borussia Dortmund fans, who will face the daunting prospect of confronting the same clinical and devastating forward who wore their team's colors a decade ago. Lewandowski's return to Dortmund promises to be an emotional and potentially pivotal encounter in the Champions League.